Therapeutic Vaccination Followed by Treatment Interruption in HIV Infected Patients

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The aim of this trial is to find out if immune responses to HIV can be boosted in individuals who start medicines soon after being infected. If immune responses can be boosted to the virus, this may allow the body to control HIV without the need for medications. This study is designed to test a new strategy for boosting immune responses to HIV and to evaluate if these responses allow people to have control of HIV without medicines.

Condition or disease

Intervention/treatment

Phase

HIV Infections

Biological: Dendritic Cells Pulsed with HIV antigens

Phase 1

Detailed Description:

The novel strategy used in this trial is to mix a peptide vaccine with dendritic cells from individuals. The dendritic cells are normal cells in the blood that boost immune responses. In HIV uninfected people, dendritic cells have been found to strongly activate the types of immune responses that may be important in controlling HIV.

HIV infected and HIV uninfected individuals in this study will receive one shot of dendritic cells alone followed by three monthly shots of dendritic cells plus vaccine. We will monitor the immune responses to the peptide vaccine during this time period. After completing the vaccinations, HIV infected patients will stop their HIV medications and their immune status (CD4 count) and viral load will be monitored closely over 12 weeks.

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Ages Eligible for Study:

18 Years to 60 Years (Adult)

Sexes Eligible for Study:

All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

Yes

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Both HIV infected and HIV uninfected individuals are eligible for this study.

CD4 cell count of 400 cells/mm3 or greater at study entry

If HIV infected, initiated anti-HIV medicines within 120 days of infection